Welcome to the forums, Tenaka-san: You log in initially (through the main game screen) to create a character to have a name to post your scores to. Then, when starting a new game, (while still logged in), the parameters you chose will be checked to see if they correspond to those allowed in the Metaverse. Certain things are not allowed, in order to keep things fair for everyone. Most mods are not allowed, as well as certain custom racial characteristics. After this the game should start normally. Just play the game as you always do. You don't have to log in every time you play. Play, save, play some more; and when you finish, the game will prompt you to submit or not. You can create as many characters as you wish, playing each as you choose. Medals will be assigned according to your choices. Yes, there are 'clans' here, only they are called 'empires'. You are free to join any of them you choose. Go to the Metaverse forum, read the posts that are submitted on any of the empire posts, and make your decision whether to join or not. If you choose to join an empire, then your score will be added to the collective empire score. (in addition to your own single score total).

Mistralok did a good job of describing the Metaverse and Empires in his first post. I'd recommend that if you're interested in joining an empire that you read through some of the empire threads and find one that best suits you. Some empires are theme based, some are not. By reading through a few pages of each, you'll get a pretty good feel for the type of people that are active there.

Have fun with the game and happy hunting!

Always glad to be of help. Please allow me to direct you to the forum site of the 'local' Star Trek mod team. http://www.s31clan.com/stmod/